Attorneys

Appellate Attorney

Emily Adams

Partner

Freyja Johnson

Partner

Sara Pfrommer

Appellate Attorney, Of Counsel

Rachel Phillips Ainscough

Appellate Attorney

Heather Ellison

Appellate Attorney

Anna Grigsby

Appellate Attorney

Jessica Holzer

Appellate Attorney

Hannah Leavitt-Howell

Appellate Attorney

Mikayla Irvin

Appellate Attorney

MJ Townsend

Appellate Attorney

Brittany Urness

Appellate Attorney

Anna chose to pursue a career in appeals because it is important to her that the justice system is fair and accountable. She views the appellate process as an important check on the administration of justice in an imperfect legal system—one that is not immune from error, oversight, or unfairness.

Anna first discovered her passion for appellate advocacy and indigent criminal defense during law school, where she worked and interned at several appellate-centered law offices. It was through those experiences that her legal and persuasive writing skills evolved. Before joining The Appellate Group, Anna clerked for Judge Ryan D. Tenney on the Utah Court of Appeals, where she developed a sense for how appellate courts consider briefs and oral arguments. The insights from these experiences help inform Anna’s approach, philosophy, and commitment to telling her clients’ stories in each appeal.

In her free time, Anna can be found outside hiking, skiing, playing tennis or sand volleyball, or sneaking up on uncooperative weeds in her garden. When she’s not outside enjoying Utah’s nature, Anna loves to take pottery classes, attempt watercolor painting, and cook vegetarian meals.

Education

S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah

J.D., with high honors

S.J. Quinney Trial Moot Court Team (2021-2022)

S.J. Quinney Public Interest Law Organization, Secretary (2020-2021)

CALI Excellence for the Future Award, Adoption Law (2020)

CALI Excellence for the Future Award, Appellate Practice (2021)

CALI Excellence for the Future Award, Statutory Interpretation (2022)

Colorado College

B.A., Sociology

Clerkships

Utah Court of Appeals, Judge Ryan Tenney

Admissions

Utah 

Professional Involvement

Appellate Roster for Indigent Criminal Appeals

Appellate Practice Section of the Utah State Bar

Women Lawyers of Utah